Bus driver urges return of life-saving defibrillator

A bus driver who raises money to install and maintain defibrillators in Bristol says lives are being put at risk because people are using them and not returning them.

Carlos Santos, from Cadbury Heath, said a defibrillator in Broad Quay, which has been used more than 40 times, has been missing for a fortnight.

Dave Forty survived a cardiac arrest last year thanks to that same defibrillator being fitted with new batteries days earlier.

"It was used on 11 patients - that's possibly 11 lives saved in just over a year," said Santos, who led the initiative to have the Broad Quay defibrillator installed. "They are essential to save people's lives during a cardiac arrest," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

"For every minute that goes past, it's a 10% less chance of survival," Carlos told Breakfast on BBC Radio Bristol.

The 39-year-old driver set up BristolResus4All in 2025, and oversaw the installation of the defibrillator at Turtle Bay, following the death of a fellow bus driver who suffered a cardiac arrest at the location in December 2024.

Carlos' aim is to ensure that no matter where you are in Bristol, you are no more than three minutes return walk away from a publicly accessible defibrillator.

South Western Ambulance Service said it was aware a community defibrillator "has not been returned, following its deployment to a medical emergency on Saturday 11 July".

"Our team has carried out extensive enquiries to help locate it, but sadly the device has still not been found.

"The device was removed from its cabinet during a genuine emergency. It is possible someone has attempted to return it, but has been unable to access the locked cabinet.

"Our preference, in line with Resuscitation Council UK guidance, is for publicly accessible defibrillators to remain unlocked so they can be accessed quickly in an emergency and returned without restriction after use."

Avon and Somerset Police said: "On Tuesday 28 July, we received a report that a defibrillator house in Broad Quay in Bristol had not been returned following its use on 11 July."

"Enquiries will be carried out to locate it and return it, to ensure this life-saving piece of equipment can continue to be available to the public."

"Anyone with any information about its location should call 101."

Defibrillators can cost up to £1000, or more.

Simon Brookes from Defibs4Bristol, which has installed more than 60 defibrillators across the city, said: "You can return them to an ambulance station or contact South West Ambulance Service Trust."

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